The No. 1 Unofficial World Cup Website
SCHOLES SHOULDN'T INHALE
Paul Scholes has been the centre of a World Cup scare - after it was revealed that the medicine he takes in his asthma inhaler is banned by FIFA.
The red-haired midfielder uses daily doses from a Salbutamol inhaler, which is on FIFA’s lists of banned substances. The FA are worried that should Scholes be called for a random drug test after a game, he could test positive and be banned from the tournament. England officials assumed that a simple letter to FIFA - written by either the team doctor or a specialist - explaining Scholes’ situation would be enough. They were stunned when they learnt that it wasn’t and now Scholes could face tests from FIFA.
England have contacted FIFA over the possibility of a compromise, and it is thought that Scholes will now have to go to a hospital in Japan and prove his condition. FA spokesperson Paul Newman explained: “We’ve written to FIFA for permission to use the inhaler and we expect to hear from them in the next 24 hours.” This is worrying news for Sven Goran Eriksson, whose midfield already consists of three injured players – David Beckham, Kieron Dyer and Nicky Butt.
